Interestingly the number of free apps that Android has as a percentage of all it’s apps is much bigger than Apple.  Android has 57% of it’s apps free but Apple has 25% free.  Apple still dwarfs Android in terms of the number of applications, but with the gains the Google backed platform is making, Apple must be looking over their shoulder.

Android is coming to a town near you.  Google have announced they are taking Android on a world tour so that developers can speak to “Android Advocates”.  If you attend the events you’ll be able to ask questions about the Android platform and have a go with the new Software Development Kit (SDK).  You’ll also be able to try out various Android devices, test apps and talk to other developers.

Google seems to want to get developers more involved and developer closer relationships them. It might be an opportunity you don’t want to miss.

Here are the dates and location of the events.  You can register here: https://sites.google.com/site/androiddevlabs/register

Europe

Asia

REUTERS

How though will the iPad affect Android development.  Android already has the problem that there are so many more iPhones on the market than Android phones.  With the iPad it takes yet more of the development focus away from Android and more onto the iPhone Open Source.

A small developer that doesn’t have the budget to develop for all platforms may well choose to only develop for Apple’s platforms.

Competition of course isn’t a bad thing but with more focus being taken away from Android again, firms with smaller budgets only looking to develop for one platform may go for the iPhone/ iPad market purely because of the mass market appeal.

It’s too early to say how well the iPad will do.  It’s very unlikely that it will fail because of the backing and expertise it has behind it from Apple.  It probably won’t do as well as the iPhone or iPad purely because they were phenomenons that took the market by storm and were very different from anything else we had seen before.

The iPad is too similar to the iPhone in design and function to be game changing like the above mentioned devices, but it will be popular and it will and probably has already taken development focus away from Android.

It’s only the applications that have been flagged as bad by users a number of times that are then removed by Google.  This is interesting because in theory Apple don’t have this problem, an app will be validated before it enters their market place.

Is this an easy way for criminals to get a malicious app out to the public easily and for it not to be removed straight away?  If a clever app gets out there and users don’t immediately realise the problems it’s causing it could be quite dangerous.

Of course all this has to be set against the argument that one of the great things about the Android Market is that it’s open and anyone can get an app on there.  Anything free and open has the potnetial to be exploited which is always a shame.

A faster phone will make it easier for developers as previously slow phones are a hinderence to develop on.

Because of that, developers for Android applications are in demand at the moment.  If you want a decent app made then you need a decent developer right?

It’s so important to hire a developer that has the right expertise.   You need an app created to your exact specifications, not how they think it should be done.  Of course there is definitely a balance between a developer using their initiative and you having to hold their hand through the whole development process.

You also want a quick turnaround from your developer.  You’ve spotted the demand for an app and you know your target market but your developer is slowing you down because they have a hundred other projects.  It’s important to make sure that your project will be a priority for your developer.

An Android developer with experience and a good portfolio is also critical to the success of your app.  Now I’m not saying that a developer without a great portfolio won’t be any good.  How are good developers going to get a great portfolio if no-one will take them on in the beginning?

Just make sure you do due diligence if you are working with a developer who doesn’t have a portfolio and is new on the scene.  You might be able to get cheaper rates on the basis that you are helping to build up their portfolio.